Grain Bowl Obsession: Dream Bowl

Not sure what prompted me a few weeks ago to stop by Food on Pico. Maybe it’s just that there was a parking spot. I was running errands during my lunch break and saw a parking spot right in front so I decided to run in and grab something to go so I could take it back to my office and eat at my desk. Easy.

I was going to get a Caesar Salad, pretty much my go-to meal, but the Dream Bowl caught my eye. It was the special that day. OK. Ordered it, bought it, grabbed it and went on my merry way. I had no idea it would change my life.

Once I got back to my office and ate this grain bowl I could not stop thinking about it. The next day I wanted to eat it but it was not available so I made it my mission to deconstruct and figure it out. I did and have eaten it almost every day for about 2 weeks. Obsessed.

It’s basically a grain bowl, with greens, vegetables, nuts and cheese with a little dressing on top. But oh its so much more than that!! This is a very forgiving recipe. Add/subtract anything you want – change up the grains, the greens, the vegetables and the nuts to whatever you like and what is in season.

GRAINS
Quinoa & Farrow

GREENS
Cabbage & Kale

VEGETABLES
Squash & Sweet Potato
(optional Avocado, Cucumber)

NUTS
Pepitas & Sunflower Seeds

CHEESE
Halloumi

DRESSING
Tumeric

GRAINS: Cook grains according to package directions. Mix it up if you don’t have or like these grains.GREENS: Make a rough chiffonade of the kale and thinly slice the cabbage (Savoy or Green). Put in a separate bowl and toss with a a little Apple Cider Vinegar.VEGETABLES: Peel and cube the squash (Butternut, Kabocha, Acorn, etc) and the Sweet Potato, toss with olive oil, salt & pepper then either steam on stovetop/microwave or roast in 400 oven until tender.NUTS: Toss 1/2 cup each of Pepitas and Sunflower Seeds in a little olive oil and toast on stovetop until just starting to brown. Add salt & pepper and set aside.CHEESE: Slice Halloumi cheese and in same pan used for Nuts grill the cheese until brown on both sides.DRESSING: Whisk together in bowl until smooth: